Compact vending machine

ABSTRACT

A vending machine is housed in a light, yet sturdy enclosure made of an external sheet metal shell and an internal seamless plastic liner between which a volume of expanded synthetic foam material is injected. One or more good-holding magazines are removably held within the enclosure. A keypad, alpha-numerical display and card reader are packaged in the door closing the front of the enclosure. A driving motor module and a coin acceptor are removably mounted against the inside liner. Due to the absence of complex or delicate structure, the machine can be serviced, cleaned and sanitized within minutes. A pair of vending machine, one holding snack food, the other beverage cans are coupled to work together and dispense combinations of items from a single control panel. Both the beverage and snack food holding magazines are driven from the same type of motor module mounted inside the liner.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to vending machines, and more specifically to thetype of vending machines found on jobsites capable of distributingpastries, small snack items and beverages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional vending machines for pastries, candy bars, soda cans andother snack products must be able to hold a substantial inventory ofgoods so that they do not need to be serviced too often. Accordingly,they tend to be bulky and heavy and occupy about a square meter (10square feet) of floor space, with a height of almost 2 meters (72inches).

The reloading of such a machine is time consuming since items must beinserted one by one, and inventory of unsold items must be checked forexpiration date, and, occasionally, replaced. Cash must then becollected and counted by the servicing employee. The good-holdingstations must be cleaned of all oil and grease that may have oozed outof the packaged goods. These cumbersome procedures are time-consuming,labor intensive, and sometimes give occasion for pilferage and theft.

Conventional machines are not well-adapted to small job sites having 150employees or less, because the profit generated at such a small site cannot justify the labor cost of servicing the machines.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,649 Fellner et al. offers a partial solution to theabove-mentioned problems by the use of a removable and replaceablemagazine for the goods which can be loaded in the factory then used toreplace an empty magazine or partially empty one. However, this type ofmagazine is relatively inefficient since it can hold only one item ofgoods in each location. Moreover, the coins need still be collected andcounted on site. The same type of shortcomings characterize the vendingmachine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. RE. 32,115 Lockwood et al. which usesa drum carousel to hold the goods to be sold. Although an empty carouselcould be removed and replaced by a fully loaded one, each carouselstation can only hold one item, and the cash must be handled separately.The inefficient designs of the above-devices inevitably leads to bulkyvending machines which are not suitable for small locations.

The instant invention results from an attempt to palliate these variousshortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal and secondary objects of this invention are tosubstantially reduce the time and expense involved in the refilling andmaintenance of vending machines distributed at a plurality of locationsover a given period, to reduce any losses due to pilferage of goods orconversion of payment currency by maintenance personnel, and reduce thehealth hazard occasioned by spillage of beverage and food items withinthe vending machines.

These and other valuable objects are achieved by the use of compactvending machines in which all the dispensable goods are held within aremovable and substitutable magazine. Sets of magazines are filled in acentral location then delivered to a plurality of vending machines alonga predetermined route. At each location, the servicing of the machineconsists essentially in opening the machine, removing the previouslyinstalled magazine, installing a fresh new magazine, and securing thevending machine in the absence of any other maintenance counting orinventory-taking of remaining goods, item by item or counting of anycollected currency. Payments are made through debit cards sold by thevending machine operators to owners of locations for distribution totheir employees and customers. Payments can also be made by currencywhich, once deposited into the machine, are securely accumulated withinthe magazines and can only be retrieved at the central location with useof a special key. The selection of desired goods and payment thereforcan also be made through wireless communication with a cell-phone orother hand-held device. At certain locations, combinations of beverageand snack food item vending machines work together to deliver speciallyadvertised combinations obtainable at a discount price. Magazinesreturned to the central location are emptied of any unsold goods andcollected currency, cleaned, sanitized adn refilled with fresh goodsbefore being assigned to a route for distribution to a new location.

The machine is opened by means of a chip-mounting, also called “smart”card. Upon opening, the machine automatically “down-loads” on the card,an account of all the sales that occurred since the last service call,including the amount of currency accumulated in the coin box. The cardis returned along with the removed magazine to the distribution centerwhere it is used to verify the integrity of the returned components andthus, deters pilferage by the service personnel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a snack-food vending machine;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal, median cross-sectional view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3—3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the magazine;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage vending machine;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a beverage can magazine;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the gate mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the electronic control system; and

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of the machine operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a compact, counter topvending machine 1 housed in a molded plastic and sheet metal cabinet 2.A substitutable, quadrangular magazine 3 is securely held into thecabinet behind the cabinet front door 4. The customer interface includesa message display 5, a keypad 6 upon which the selection of a desiredgoods can be made, a currency-acceptor 7, a card reader 8 and adispensing pocket 9. The goods 10 and the numbers of the stations orcells 11 holding them can be observed through the transparent door ofthe cabinet.

Each station or cell 11 can hold a plurality of goods having the samesale price. Each station is identified by a letter (A-C) and a number(1-6). In each station 11, a plurality of goods are held between thecoils of a spiral rack 13. These goods may be of various configurationsor sizes. When a spiral rack is rotated, it acts as an Archimedes screw,and shifts the goods toward the access port 14 along the front of themagazine. The magazine comprises three trays or layers 15 ofgood-holding station units. It should be understood that the number ofstations in each unit and the number of units in a magazine can bevaried to accommodate different sizes and varieties of goods. Typically,small goods such as candy bars can be loaded on a narrow cells such asthe one shown on the right side of each tray. Large items such aspastries and potato chip packs that require a larger cell, can be loadedinto stations such as the ones shown on the center and left side of eachtray.

The lower, lateral corner of the magazine 3 rests upon shelf 16 formedinside the cabinet.

The cabinet 2 comprises an external shell 18 made of a first sheet 19 ofmetal bent to form the top and two opposite lateral walls a second sheet20 closing the back of the cabinet and a third sheet 21 forming thebottom.

A plastic liner 22 is nested within the shell 18 and through its openfront. The shell and liner are joined about their respective flanged,peripheral frontal edges 23, 24. The liner defines a cavity closed bythe door 4. The cavity is divided into a load compartment 26 whichoccupies its major portion, and the pocket or receptacle 9 that receivesthe delivered goods below the load compartment.

The shelf 16 that separates the load compartment and the pocket issupported by an angled plate 28 secured to the three sheets 19, 20, and21 forming the shell.

A volume of expanded, insulating polyurethane resin foam material 17 isinjected between the liner 22 and the shell, excluding the space 29defined under the angled plate 28. Once solidified, the foam materialcombines with the shell and liner to form a strong, yet light box. Theexternal shell can thus be made of relatively thin sheet materialwhether steel, aluminum of plastic, typically, 2 mm thick. Similarly,the thickness of the plastic liner can be limited to approximately 1.5mm.

The structural components of the door 4 comprise a molded top piece 30,a molded bottom piece 31 and two extruded lateral pillars 32, 33 joiningthe top and bottom pieces. Those four components frame a transparentpolycarbonate window panel 34. The door is hinged along the externaledge of the left pillar 33 to the joined flanged left sides of the shelland liner peripheral edges. The top and bottom pieces and the pillarsare flanged along their external edges so that when the door meets thejoined peripheral edges of the shell and liner, the vertical centerportions of the door stand apart from the front edge of the cabinet. Thespace therebetween defines a chute 27 through which the selected goodsfall toward the pocket 9. A resiliently compressible gasket 35 issecured to the edge of the door in order to provide a hermetic seal whenthe door is closed. A locking mechanism 36 with a keyhole 37 accessibleat the top right edge of the molded top piece 30 is used to secure thedoor. Overlapping flanges 38, 39 along the peripheral edges of both thecabinet and the door prevent the introduction of a prying tool betweenthose two components. Mounted behind the top door piece 30 is afluorescent light fixture 40. Mounted against the back upper portion ofthe bottom door piece 31 is an electronic module 41 which includes thedisplay 5, the keypad 6, the card reader 8 and the electronic controlcircuit for the operation of the machine. An aperture 42 in the lowerportion of the bottom piece provides access to the pocket 9 into whichfalls the purchased goods. The aperture is secured by a swinging door43. When the door is pushed inwardly to gain access to the goods in thepocket, it prevents access to the chute 27 and any of the goods held inthe cells of the magazine.

The currency acceptor 7 is mounted against the right wall of the liner22. A two-section channel 44 acts as a coin slot from the right pillar33 of the door to the inlet of the currency acceptor. A coin chute 45connects the outlet of the currency acceptor to a coin receptor box 46in the base 47 of the magazine.

As more specifically illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the magazinecomprises the base 47 three goods-holding trays 15, a cover 48 and apair of locking straps 49 holding all those components together. Thecoin receptor box 46 which occupies the right portion of the base isclosed by a lid 50 secured by a lock 51. In each station or cell 11 ofthe trays, the back end of the spiral rack 13 is connected to a shortshaft that passes through the back wall 52 of the tray where it issupported by a bearing. The shaft has a female coupling 53 shaped andsized to be engaged by a corresponding male coupling 54 of a drivingmechanism. When the spiral rack is rotated 360° by the drive mechanism,one of the goods 10 is selectively expelled from its cell and falls intothe pocket 9 below. The cover 48 has a folding handle 55 in its centerfor conveniently carrying the magazine. The locking straps 49 are shapedand dimensioned to intimately cinch the other components of the magazinetogether. Their crooked left ends 56 lock into mating recesses 57 in thetop of the cover 48. At the bottom ends of the straps, a similar hookend 58 locks into a similar recess in the base.

For each spiral rack, the driving mechanism consists of a motor assembly60 including a control circuitry which allows the motor to make only onerevolution every time it is energized. A gang of six motor assembliespackaged in a sealed driving module 61 is mounted in recesses 62 in theliner's back wall behind each tray 15.

The wirings of the motor assembly in each driving module are brought toa pigtail connector 63A that mates with a corresponding connector 63B onthe main wiring harness 63 leading to the electronic control module 41located in the cabinet door. The driving modules are held in place bysnapping fasteners. Accordingly, driving modules with different numbersof motor assemblies can be quickly substituted for one another to matchthe composition of the trays.

A detachable cover 12 is attached to the front of the magazine, in orderto close all the access ports 14 during transportation to and from thecentral service facilities.

An electronic sensor 65 in the chute 27 detects the passage of the goodstoward the distributing pocket. The output of the sensor is fed to themicroprocessor 66 which constitutes the principal component of theelectronic module 41. The microprocessor typically includes a storagememory or equivalent recording medium. An infrared transceiver 68provides access to the micro-processor data. This transceiver may beused by a service person to read useful information such as money paid,and goods sold using a wireless phone or any other type of hand-helddownloading device well known to persons skilled in the art ofdata-processing, that can provide a communication interface with varioustypes of devices and networks according to so-called “Bluetooth”technology.

The transceiver 68 can also respond to an order for goods and paymenttherefor from similar wireless communication devices.

It can now be understood that once a user has made a selection bydialing on the keypad 6 the identification of the station holding thedesired type of goods, the good-extracting mechanism servicing thatparticular station can then be activated to cause the goods mostfrontally located on the spiral rack to fall through the chute 27 intothe dispensing pocket 9.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the operation of the vending machine iscontrolled by the microprocessor 66. The motors are controlled bymotor-control modules 69, and the address-decoder 70. The motor-controlmodules and the address decoder consist essentially of gated currentdrivers, that, under control of the microprocessor, feed the forwardcurrent to the two appropriate motor. A modem 71 provides thecommunication interface to the microprocessor via conventional phonecarrier services and/or via the Internet. An LCD message display 72which is part of display 5 in the cabinet door is used to suggest to theuser an alternate selection when the selected items is not available andto give other notices as will be explained below. A power supply 73 ishoused under the angled palte 28. A wire harness 74 connecting the powersupply to the light 40 and to the electronic module 41 is the onlycomponent that passes through the liner 22.

As more specifically illustrated in FIG. 9, the operation of the machinebegins when the currency-acceptor detects that currency has been entered101, when a payment card has been inserted 102 or when an alternate formof payment such as an electronic transfer through the Internet, or outof a palm-held wireless device. In case of payment by currency, once thecorrect amount has been received 103, the system waits for the user todial his choice of goods beginning with the letter corresponding to theproper row. In the case of a payment by card, the system firstdetermines whether it is a credit card 104. In that case, the cardowner's identification is read 105, and a credit check is initiated 106via the modem 71. If credit is refused, the user is so advised by thedisplay 108 of a rejection message. If the credit card owner hassufficient credit, the system waits for the user's selection. If thecard is not a credit card, the system assumes that it is a debit, orso-called “smart card”, and reads the card for the available balance109. If the balance is not sufficient to pay for one of the offeredgoods, a rejection message is displayed 108. If that balance issufficient to cover a purchase 110, the system waits for the user'sselection.

Once the user has selected a row 111, that row identification is entered112 into the microprocessor. The system then waits for the dialing ofthe appropriate column 113. When the column is dialed, itsidentification is entered into the computer 114. At that point, thecorresponding motor is started 115 and, at the same time, a ten-secondtimer is also started 116. If the timer expires 117 before theelectronic sensor 65 detects the passage of goods into the dispensingpocket, the motor is stopped 118 and a message suggesting an alternateselection 119 is displayed. A twenty second timer is also started 120.If that timer runs out 121 before a new row letter is dialed by theuser, the magnetic card or the currency which has been introduced intothe machine, is rejected 122. If a row letter is dialed before theexpiration of the timer 123, the system proceeds with the entering ofthe row identification 112; then the column identification 114 aspreviously described. If the electronic sensor 65 detects the passage ofthe goods 124 before the ten-second timer runs out, the motor is stopped125. In the event of payment by currency 126, the currency is accepted127 and dropped into the currency receptacle 46. In case of payment bycredit card 128, the charge is confirmed to the bank 129 via the modem71. In case of payment by “smart card”, the card is debited 130 by theprice of the goods.

The modem 71 can be used to communicate via the Internet with awarehouse or other type of control center, in order to provideinformation about the status of the vending machine such as the amountof goods already sold, proceeds received including the exact amount ofcurrency which is now stored in the currency receptacle 46. Themicroprocessor is programmed according to well-known techniques toinitiate that kind of communication at preset intervals or specifictimes through a conventional phone network or via the Internet. Themachine activities and sale data that is compiled by, and stored by themicroprocessor can be down-loaded on site by the service personnel on arecording medium, such as a smart-card, that is returned to the centrallocation along with the expanded magazine. Alternately, themicroprocessor can respond to polling calls initiated from the controlcenter. From the information thus received at the control center, themost appropriate time when servicing personnel should be dispatched toexchange the magazine of the machine can be determined. Moreover, theamount of money held in the currency receptacle, as well as the amountof goods remaining in the magazine are already known and can be verifiedupon receipt of the magazine. Any tampering or pilfering by the servicepersonnel can thus be abated.

The preferred embodiment of the vending machine has a total height of 85centimeters (33.5 inches), a total width of 72.5 centimeters (28.5inches), and a total depth of 57 centimeters (22.5 inches), and anapproximate weight of 34 kilograms (75 pounds), including an emptymagazine. Such a vending machine can be easily transported and installedon a table or counter top where it occupies no more than 0.5 squaremeters (5.4 square feet).

The previously described vending machine 1 intended to dispense avariety of snack foods can be advantageously combined with a similarmachine 75 intended to dispense beverage cans, more specificallyillustrated in FIGS. 5-7. The beverage dispensing machine uses a cabinet76 which is essentially similar to the one of the snack-vending machine,except that there is no currency acceptor, but accepts four side-by-sidecan magazines 77. Each magazine is driven by only one motor assembly 60.Accordingly, there is only one motor-driving module 61 mounted againstthe load compartment section of the liner 22.

In each of the four magazines 77 up to twenty-four 12 ounce beveragecans are laid down one behind the other in a zig-zagging channel of asingle cell 78. The channel has five directionally alternating sectionswhose slanted, product-supporting floors urge the can to roll toward adispensing gate mechanism 80. Beyond the gate an opening 81 in thebottom of the magazine allows the dispensed can to drop into thedispensing pocket 9. The gate mechanism 80 comprises a horizontal shaft82 joined to a coupling 83 in a lower section of the magazine back wall.This coupling is similar to the one used in connection with the spiralrack shaft of the first machine and is shaped and dimensioned to engagea corresponding coupling of one of the motor assemblies 60. At theopposite end of the shaft, a first fan-shaped barrier is radiallymounted so that when the shaft is rotated, this first barrier risesacross the path of the lowermost can 85 in the channel. A secondfan-shaped gate 86 is radially mounted on the shaft 82 in a directionopposite to that of the first barrier 84, and at an axial distancecorresponding approximately to the diameter of the can. Accordingly,when the first barrier is lowered by a 180° rotation of the shaft 82,the second barrier rises between the first can 85 and the second can 87positioned immediately behind it. As the first can rolls out of themagazine through the opening 81, the second can is held back by thesecond barrier 86 until the shaft completes a full rotation. At whichtime, the second barrier 86 is lowered below the slanted floor 79. Thesecond can 87 rolls down until it is stopped by the now raised firstbarrier 84. Under the pull of gravity, all the remaining cans in themagazine roll down one position. The mechanism is now ready forexpelling the second can. The beverage can dispensing machine 75includes a refrigerating assembly comprising a compressor 88 mountedunder the angled plate 28, a cooling coil 89 mounted against and abovethe ceiling portion 90 of the liner, and a condenser 91 mounted againstthe inner side of the back sheet 20.

A power supply 73 is housed under the angled plate 28 next to thecondenser. It should be noted that the same cooling assembly canconveniently be provided in the snack-vending machine 1.

It should also be noted that except for the passageway for the harness74, the liner 22 forms a seamless, hole-free wall surface. The harnesspassageway is automatically sealed when the insulating foam material isinjected. Accordingly, the inside of the load compartment and pocket canconveniently be cleaned and and sanitized with strong detergents or agermicidal solution. The absence of any metallic component or sensitivemechanism greatly expedites maintenance of the machines, and andenhances their reliability. If necessary, during cleaning andsanitization, the driving module 61 and the currency receptor 7 canconveniently be pulled out and disconnected from the harness 74.

The use and profitability of the vending machine can be substantiallyincreased by combining it with a programmable scrolling display of thetype disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,802 Simson, which patent is herebyincorporated in this specification by this reference.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a scrolling display 131 is preferablyincorporated into the door of an auxiliary vending machine unit 75 thatdispenses only beverages. The beverage-dispensing machine does notrequire a transparent door to view the various available items. The typeof available beverages can be indicated on a picture sign 132 locatedabove the distribution pocket 9.

The selection of the beverage and payment therefor is done on the keypad6 and by using the card reader 8 or currency acceptor of principalmachine 1. A simple umbilical cable 133 connects the two machines. Awide variety of enticing messages can be carried on the scroll 134 ofthe display. The messages on the scroll are exposed for several secondsper frame in a continuous mode of operation. Some messages may toutspecial packages combining a food item from the principal machine with adrink from the auxiliary machine at a reduced price. The display canalso be programmed to match the message with the time of the day.Sandwiches and puddings may be emphasized around lunch or dinner timewhile candies and cookies are promoted during coffee breaks. Theoperation of the scrolling display is controlled by the microprocessor66 operating under well-known programming routines. Entry of programcommands can be made through the card reader 8, via the modem 71, orthrough wireless communication.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described,modifications can be made and other embodiments may be devised withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appendedclaims

What is claimed is:
 1. A vending machine which comprises: an externalshell having top, bottom and opposite side walls, and an open front; aninternal plastic liner nested within said shell and joined thereto abouta peripheral frontal edge, said liner defining a load compartment; avolume of insulating material sandwiched between said shell and liner; adoor releasably closing said open front, and including a front panel anda peripheral flange meeting said shell and liner about said frontaledge; at least one product magazine removably held within said loadcompartment; means, within said magazine, for selectively expellingtherefrom a variety of products stored therein; driving means, withinsaid load compartment, engageable by said means for expelling; controlmeans responsive to user-initiated signals for activating said drivingmeans; and means for generating said signals.
 2. The vending machine ofclaim 1, wherein said magazine comprises: at least one cell shaped anddimensioned to hold a plurality of substantially similarly-sizedproducts, said cell having an opening spaced apart from said frontpanel; and said means for expelling comprise a drive shaft engageablefrom a back section of said magazine opposite said opening.
 3. Thevending machine of claim 2, wherein said driving means comprises atleast one electro-mechanical device mounted against said liner andpositioned for engagement with said drive shaft when said magazine isplaced into said load compartment.
 4. The vending machine of claim 3,wherein said electro-mechanical device comprises a motor.
 5. The vendingmachine of claim 4, wherein said means for expelling further comprise aspiral rack coupled to said shaft.
 6. The vending machine of claim 4,wherein said means for expelling further comprise a gate coupled to saidshaft, and shaped, dimensioned and positioned to selectively block saidopening.
 7. The vending machine of claim 6, wherein said cell comprisesa slanted product-supporting floor positioned to urge products heldtherein toward said gate.
 8. The vending machine of claim 7, whereinsaid gate comprises: a first barrier radially connected to said shaft;and a second barrier radially connected to said shaft opposite andaxially distally from said first barrier; whereby a 180° rotation ofsaid shaft lowers said first barrier, allowing a first of said productsto escape said cell while a second of said products immediately behindsaid first is held back within said cell by said second barrier.
 9. Thevending machine of claim 1, wherein said control means comprise anelectronic data entry module mounted in said front panel.
 10. Thevending machine of claim 9, wherein said data entry module comprises akeypad.
 11. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein said control meanscomprise an electronic data receiving module.
 12. The vending machine ofclaim 1, wherein said liner further defines a product-receiving pocketbelow said load compartment.
 13. The vending machine of claim 12,wherein said said front panel has an aperture providing access to saidpocket.